What can I restrict with Parental Controls?

You can tailor your child's Nintendo 3DS family system to suit their age using flexible Parental Controls. You can switch off as few or as many features as you desire to suit you and your child: for a young child, you might choose to prevent access to many functions, while individual features can be disabled without locking down the entire system for an older child.

By default, all features are restricted when Parental Controls are enabled. As a precautionary measure, Internet Settings, used to set up internet connection settings for Nintendo 3DS family systems, and the Format System Memory option, used to clear the system's memory, are restricted by default. The parental PIN code is required each time you wish to access these settings.

The following functions can be restricted using Parental Controls. It is possible to temporarily enable functions for a single use by entering the parental PIN code when prompted.

Software Rating – Restricts the usage of Nintendo 3DS software with unsuitable content, defined by their age rating. It is only possible to access software that has an age rating higher than the age defined with the Software Rating setting by entering the parental PIN code.

This also affects titles in Nintendo eShop; while icons for all games can still appear on the Nintendo eShop front page, it is not possible to click through to an age-restricted game's information without the parental PIN code.

Age-restricted games will not be returned as results in Nintendo eShop's search function. If the parental PIN code is entered to temporarily disable Software Rating restrictions, the restrictions are removed until Nintendo eShop is closed.

Internet Browser – Restricts the use of the internet browser. It is not possible to enter the Internet Browser at all without entering the parental PIN code.

Nintendo 3DS Shopping Services – Restricts the use of credit cards and online purchasing of content and services through Nintendo 3DS Shopping Services, such as Nintendo eShop. When this option is enabled, entry of the PIN code is required to add funds with a credit card or complete purchases in Nintendo eShop.

If you try to purchase software or add funds to your balance while this restriction is active, you will be prompted to enter the parental PIN code to allow a one-time purchase or funding. The PIN code is required each time you attempt a software purchase or adding of funds.

This option does not prevent users from viewing game information; to restrict which game information your child can see based on age ratings, please use the Software Rating control.

Display of 3D Images – Restricts the use of 3D visuals. This option locks the system to 2D display mode until it is disabled. The 3D depth slider does not affect visuals when the system is in 2D mode. If this option is enabled, a prompt asking whether the software should be loaded in 3D mode or 2D mode will appear each time 3D-compatible software is launched. To play in 3D mode, the parental PIN code must be entered.

Miiverse – Restricts access to Miiverse. It is possible to select two different levels of restriction for Miiverse. By choosing "Restrict Posting", you will be unable to post comments, reply to other users' comments or Yeah other users' comments, but can still read comments and browse game communities. Selecting "Restrict Viewing and Posting" prevents users from loading Miiverse at all.

If you allow transmission of data, please explain to your child that the child should not give out personal information such as names and telephone numbers when communicating with others.

Sharing Images / Audio / Video / Long Text Data – Restricts the transmission of data which may contain private information, such as images (including photos), audio, video and long text. Please note that this does not restrict data sent by Nintendo DS software or Miiverse. To restrict Miiverse, please use the dedicated Miiverse control.

If you allow transmission of data, please explain to your child that the child should not give out personal information such as names and telephone numbers when communicating with others.

Online Interaction – Restricts access to online communication in games and the exchange of certain game data with other users over the internet. Please note that this does not restrict access to Miiverse, the Internet Browser or Nintendo eShop. You cannot restrict certain data downloaded through SpotPass, such as system updates or notifications from Nintendo.

If you allow transmission of data, please explain to your child that the child should not give out personal information such as names and telephone numbers when communicating with others.

StreetPass – Restricts access to StreetPass and prevents data exchange in StreetPass-compatible Nintendo 3DS software. While you can still enter StreetPass Mii Plaza, you will be unable to customise your Mii character's profile, and StreetPass Mii Plaza games will not be accessible.

Friend Registration – Restricts users from adding friends via the friend list. It is possible to view activity of currently registered friends – for example, you can see if they are online and which game they are currently playing – but it is not possible to register new friends without the parental PIN code.

Upon tapping the "Register Friend" button, a prompt will appear that allows the restriction to be temporarily removed by entering the parental PIN code. The PIN code must be entered each time the "Register Friend" button is touched.

Please note that some functions allow communication with users who are not registered friends. If you wish to restrict communication with users who are not registered friends, please configure the Online Interaction in Games, Internet Browser and Miiverse restrictions.

DS Download Play – Restricts use of DS Download Play, preventing the download of Nintendo DS demos and local multiplayer in Nintendo DS software. This prevents Nintendo DS game data from being sent to the system. Upon entering the DS Download Play software, you will see a prompt which allows the functionality to be re-enabled with the parental PIN code. The PIN code is required each time the software is loaded while this control is enabled.

Viewing Distributed Videos – Restricts viewing of distributed videos to those suitable for all ages. Please note that this setting does not apply to game-related videos found on Nintendo eShop, which can be restricted according to age rating using the Software Rating setting.

Internet Settings – used to set up internet connection settings for Nintendo 3DS family systems – and the Format System Memory option, each found within System Settings, are restricted by default. The parental PIN code is required each time you wish to access these settings.